By Ramiro Paez

956sports.com

DONNA – If it was possible for high expectations to elevate even higher, the citizens in Donna would want it. As one of the more established and glorified programs in the Valley, the Redskins are always expected to produce for their community. Anything short of what the citizens in the mid-Valley consider greatness can cause the common eye to microscope a program that is always expected to excel.

So it’s easy for one to overlook the past four seasons in Donna. In three of those years, the Redskins have been ousted in the bi-district round and failed to reach the postseason in the other (2010) after a 4-6 campaign.

However, if one takes a closer look at what might come off as mediocrity to some, they’ll discover the Redskins at an opposite end of where the program once stood before coach Manny Moreno’s arrival in 2007. In two seasons before Moreno’s reign, Donna totaled just four wins and had quickly become an afterthought after falling off the pedestal of Valley contenders.

The following season, the Redskins surprised many after claiming an outright District 30-5A title and advancing two-deep in the postseason, re-establishing a winning identity within the program.

By no means has Moreno’s five-year stint in Donna been an overwhelming success. He would be the first to admit the frustration he’s endured the past couple of years. But Moreno feels confident in the strides his program has taken to reach the level that everyone expects, including himself.

“If you remember before I took the helm, it was different,” Moreno said. “Now we’ve made the playoffs in four out of the five years that we’ve been here. So the winning ways will continue little by little and we’ll go from there.”

Complacency, however, isn’t an option. Moreno says now is the time for his Redskins to “step it up” and become more consistent on the field in order to break through that district championship and bi-district barrier.

“Certain things don’t go your way and certain games,” he said. “It’s a one-game playoff type of deal and sometimes that happens. That’s what we’ve always tried to establish that we want to go deep and hopefully we break through.”

Having senior Dion Padilla return at quarterback is a good way to start.

Padilla, who threw four touchdowns in last season’s opening win against PSJA North, had a quick start to the 2011 season before breaking his collarbone in Week 2. His experience will allow for the Redskins to air the ball and stretch the field on opponents.

Padilla will often look to connect with senior wide receiver Darien Hernandez, who expects a greater improvement on offense, which returns five starters.

“We got a lot of speed on offense,” Hernandez said. “We have a pretty good chance. We got to be disciplined, listen to our coaches and be coachable.”

Defensively, Moreno believes his secondary unit, with a host of players returning, can help the Redskins cease opponents.  Senior cornerback Joey Reyes says his team isn’t looking to start over, but rather build on what helped Donna toward a 7-3 regular-season mark last year.

“The attitude is really positive,” Reyes said. “We want to make it to the playoffs again and go deeper. The biggest hurdle (for us) is just trying to play as a team.”

Returning Offensive Starters: 5

Returning Defensive Starters: 5

Returning Lettermen: 34

Offensive Players to Watch: Dion Padilla, senior, QB; Darien Hernandez, senior, WR; Joseph Guerrero, senior, center

Defensive Players to Watch: Raul Luna, senior, LB; Joey Reyes, senior, CB; Mike Cadena, senior, CB

Last Year’s Record: 7-4

Last Time Made Playoffs: 2011 (L – bi-district, Del Rio 34-7)